Greenway farmers seeking a ‘fair deal’

A GALWAY IFA official has this week called for a more co-operative approach from the County Council to farmers and landowners affected by the Connemara Greenway project.

In the Greenway project, the Council have been charged with the development of a walkway cum cycle path from Oughterard to Clifden, for the most part along the track of the old railway line that operated there.

However Galway-Mayo IFA Regional Officer, Roy O’Brien told the Farming Tribune that while the vast majority of landowners were in favour of the project, some of them had been taken aback by the approach of the County Council.

“I think that co-operation with the farmers and the landowners should at all times be the policy rather than using the threat of CPOs (compulsory purchase orders) to take the land,” said Roy O’Brien.

He said that it would be important for the Council to get the trust of the local landowners in a project that would have major implications in terms of land access and usage over the coming years.

“I know from recent meetings in the Connemara area that some landowners are not happy with the approach being taken by the Council.

“These aren’t people that are opposed to the project but they want to be treated in a fair and open fashion by the Council. I think that this is a very reasonable expectation,” said Roy O’Brien.

The purpose of the Greenway project is to provide all members of the local community and visitors alike with a safe and accessible way of using the dismantled railway line for walking and cycling.

It is being developed with the aid of community groups in Clifden, Recess and Oughterard with the support of Failte Ireland, Galway Co. Council and Forum Connemara Ltd.

Meanwhile a Tuam councillor is proposing that the unused railway line between Tuam and

Athenry, via Ballyglunin, should now be developed into a North Galway greenway walkway and cycle path.

Cllr. Shaun Cunniffe said this week that the conversion could be completed for a cost of about €500,000.